Mobile washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mobile washing apparatus having a van truck with a pair of water storage tanks mounted therein and connected to high pressure outlet hoses. A pair of soft water tanks are connected to the outlet of said water storage tanks and route water to a hot water storage tank which is connected to a hot water heater. A water meter is provided to measure the flow of water from the storage tank and from the inlet water hose. Cold water and soft water is provided through various solenoids. A pair of high pressure pumps force the water past a pair of chemical injectors to the high pressure hoses which are extendable from the truck.

United States Patent Cable et al. 1451 Aug. 22, 1972 541 MOBILE WASHING APPARATUS 3,380,658 4/1968 Stasz et 81...... ..239/130 3,481,544 12/1969 Jackson ..239/130 [72] Invemms' Cable 3,504,858 4/1970 Liddiard....; ..239/172 Brenneman, Delphi, both of Ind.

[73] Assignee: Porta Service Inc., Lafayette, Ind.

221 F1160; April 9, 1971 211 App]. N0.: 132,676

52 US. (:1 ......l37/265 51 1m. (:1 ..B08b 3/02, 860s 3/06, B05b 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..137/262, 255, 265; 239/130, 239/172 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 808,083 12/1905 Groom ..137/265 x 1,721,105 7/1929 Dotterwiech ..137/265 x 1,568,789 1/1926 Williams ..137/255 x 2,852,306 9/1958 Skipp ..239/172 x 3,317,142 5/1967 Casale ..239/130 Primary Examiner-M. Cary Nelson Assistant Examiner-Robert J. Miller Attorney-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton 5 7 BSTRACT A mobile washing apparatus having a van truck with a pair of water storage tanks mounted therein and connected to high pressure outlet hoses! A pair of soft water tanks are connected to the outlet of said water storage tanks and route water to a hot water storage tank'which is connected to a hot water heater. A water meter is'p'rovided to measure the flow of water from the storage tank and from the inlet water hose.

Cold water and soft water is provided through various solenoids. 'A pair of high pressure pumps force the water past a pair of chemical injectors to the high pressure hoses which are extendable from the truck.

8 Clairm, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 22, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 38 42 Fig. 2

INVENTORS RUSSELL D. CABLE HOMER K. BRENNEMAN ATTORNEYS [u ,a/wzgmdwm /im 5 Patented Aug. 22, 1972 5 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTORS l RUSSELL D. CABLE HOMER K. BRENNEMAN ATTORNEYS (WW4 MM, 5mm 77W Patented Aug. 22, 1972 3,685,535

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS RUSSELL D. CABLE HOMER K. BRENNEMAN ATTORNEYS I 0am, wmmmmh MOBILE WASHING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of washing devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art A representable sample of the prior art is disclosed in the following U. S. Pat. Nos:

2,852,306 issued to Skipp 3,086,713 issued to Moldenhauer 3,243,123 issued to Inghram et a1.

3,245,329 issued to Nagin et al.

3,317,142 issued to Casale 3,380,658 issued to Stasz et al.

3,481,544 issued to Jackson.

None of these devices disclose a mobile washing apparatus which utilizes water from an inlet hose connected to an external source of supply or from a pair of water storage tanks mounted within the truck in such a way so as to provide a storage area and walkway between the tanks. The manner in which the water is routed past a water softener and hot water heater is new compared with the prior art as well as the means utilized for injecting chemicals into the water. Power for operating the washing apparatus is provided by an electrical generator which is driven by the truck transmission.

It will be noted that the described mobile washing apparatus is designed to prevent water from flowing to the hot water heater tank without first passing through the water softener tanks. Many of the prior art devices allow the water to flow directly to the hot water heater tank without first passing through a water softening process with the result of calcification and contamination of the heater tank.

Some of the prior art devices also provide for the addition of chemicals to the water with the result of the eventual damage to the valving and high pressure pumps. The apparatus disclosed herein injects chemicals into the water on the outlet side of the high pressure pumps thereby preventing the aforementioned damage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention is a mobile washing apparatus comprising: a van truck; a first-storage tank mounted within and extending along one side of said truck; a second storage tank mounted within and extending along the opposite side of said tank and being spaced from said first tank with a storage area and walkway therebetween; a water softener tank mounted within said truck and controllably receiving water from said first tank and said second tank; a hot water tank mounted within said van and controllably receiving water from said softener tank; a first pump operable to transfer water from said first and second tank, through said softener tank and to said hot water tank; a gas fired heater mounted within said van and operable to heat water; circulatory pump means mounted within said van and operable to circulate water from said hot water tank to said heater and back; first and second reel wound high pressure hoses mounted in said truck and extendable therefrom; high pressure pumps operable to force water through said hoses at pressures in excess of 900 pounds per square inch; and, an electrical generator being operably driven by the transmission of said truck and providing electrical energy for said apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mobile washing apparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a washing apparatus mounted in a truck having an electrical generator for powering the apparatus which is driven by the truck transmission.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing apparatus mounted in a van truck having a water softener and a water heater selectably connected to a pair of storage tanks or to an inlet water hose.

In conjunction with the above object it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile washing apparatus having chemical injectors for injecting chemicals into the water outlet hose.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic view of one of the I chemical injectors of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the high pressure outlet hoses having an electrical switch box thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings,

there is shown a mobile washing apparatus 15 with a conventional van truck 16 having a driver compartment as well as a rear compartment wherein a pair of storage tanks 17 and 19 are mounted within the van. Tank 17 extends along side 18 of the van and is spaced apart a distance 21 from tank 19 which extends along side 20 of the van. The space 21 between the tanks serve as a storage area and allows a person to walk between the tanks from the driver compartment toward the back doors 28 which are hingedly mounted to the van. Each tank is mounted to floor 27 by a plurality of legs 36 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 2 is a floor plan of a portion of the truck of FIG. 1 whereas FIG. 3 is a view taken along a line and looking in the direction of the an'ows-3-3 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the various water lines connected within the van. As will be evident from the following description relative to FIGS. 1 through 4, water may be stored within tanks 17 and 19 and then routed to a pair-of water softener tanksfor treatment of the water prior to insertion into a hot water tank coupled with a gas fired water heater. A water meter is provided to measure the flow of water from an inlet hose and form the p'airof storage tanksto the water softener tank. Various valves are provided to control the flow of water from the hot water tank and from the softener tank to a pair of high pressure pumps which force cold water and/or hot water through a pair of high pressure hoses with nozzles mounted atop the storage tank and extendable through the back doors of the'van. As will bedescribed, chemicals may be injected into the water prior to the water exiting the high pressure hoses. An

electrical generator coupled to the transmission of the truck provides the electrical energy required for the various pumps and switches of the apparatus,

The inlet hose assembly 29 (FIGS. 3 4) is fixedly mounted atop storage tank 17 and has an inlet hose 30 wound on reel 32 which is rotatablymounted between upstanding brackets 31. Beneath inlet hose 30 is a high pressure outlet hose 33'wound on reel 34 also rotatably mounted to brackets 31. Reel 32 may be rotated so that hose may be extended through the rear of the truck being connectable to an external source of water. The inlet hose is connected by coupling 37 to inlet pipe 38 which extends downwardly from reel 32 and horizontally. along the length of tank 17 where it isconnected to pipe 39 by a T-joint coupling 41. Pipe 39 has a top end connected to a right angle coupling 40 which Valve 48 (FIG. 2) is provided adjacent outlet 50 so as to control the flow of water from tank 17. An identical valve 49 (FIG. 4) is provided for tank 19 to control the flowof water therefrom. Thus, as water enters tank 17 from inlet hose 30, water will flow from tank 17 through pipe 47 (FIGS. 2 and 4) and into tank 19 through outlet 51. Of course, valves 48 and 49 are in the open position to allow water flow from tank 17 to tank 19. Thus, both tanks may be simultaneously filled with a single inlet hose or if desired valves 48 and 49 a may be closed to enable only tank 17 to be filled. Suitable baflling (not shown) is provided within each storage tank to prevent the water therein from moving violently as the truck is driven on a road.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of float assembly 43 which is mounted along with valve 42 to tank 17. Assembly 43 has a housing 56 sealingly mountedto tank 17 and coupled to inlet pipe 41. The outlet 57 of pipe 41 is closed by seal 61 whenever float 60 is pivoted to its most upward position. As the water level within tank 17 moves downwardly, float 60 also moves downwardly being guided by cylindrical float guide 59. Float 60 is mounted to a brass rod 58 hingedly mounted to pipe 41. As the float 60 moves downwardly seal 61 moves away from outlet 51 thereby allowing water flow into the tank. Likewise, as float v moves upwardly seal 61 is positioned adjacent to the outlet 51 thereby preventing water flow into the tanks.-

A pair of water softener tanks 22 (FIG. 2) are mounted within the truck and are connected in tandem so as to controllably receive water from storage tanks 17 and 19. A water meter 45 is also mounted in the truck so as to measure the water flow from the storage tanks 17 and 19 as well as the inlet hose 30 to water softener tanks 22. The outlets 50 and 51 (FIG. 4). of storage tanks 17 and 19m interconnected together to 7 meter 45 by pipes 47 and 47' with apressure booster 1 pump 24 connected therebetween. T-coupling 44 con-.

nects pipes 47 and 38 to'va'lve 52. In many cases, the line pressurewithin the inlet hose orthe head pressure developed by the storage tanks may be sufficiently low 1 so as to require additional pressure to force the water through the meter and softener tanks. Thus, pump 24 is provided and may be utiliud when required. 'Pump 24 may be operated from electrical energy which is provided by a generator coupled to the transmission of the truck which will be described later, in this specification.

When an external source of water is accessible at the working site, the inlet hose may be coupled to the.

source and valve 42 may be closed thereby bypassing tanks 17 and 19 and routing the incoming water directly through meter 45 to the softener tanks 22. 'Ofcourse, meter 45 will measure the amount of water taken from the external source of supply. In cases the storage tanks: through meter 45 to thesoftenertanks 22. Valve 54 is toinlet pipe 38 and should be positioned closed when fillingtanks l7 and 19 through'float assembly 43 or whenever valves 48 and/or 49 are in the open position. Valve 54 should be in the open position when it is desired to route the incoming water from inlet hose 3o past tanks 17 and 19 directly to meter 45. I

It is desirable to provide a means for emptying tanks 17 and 19 through inlet pipe 38 and inlet hose 30 while bypassing meter 45. Therefore, a bypass outlet pipe, 53

is coupled to inlet pipe 38 and between a bypass valve 52 and the inlet side of meter 45. Valves 52 and 62 are provided to'direct the flow of water. For example, valve 52 is mounted between pump 24 and meter 45 and should be in the open position whenever pump is utilized. Likewise, valve 52 should be closed whenever pump 24 is not required. Valve 62 is connected to ont-v let pipe 53 and should be open with valve 63 of softener tanks 22 being closed whenever it is desired to empty water from tanks 17 and 19 through pipes 53 and Likewise, valve 62 should be closed and valves 63 should be open whenever it is desired to allow water to V flow through meter 45 to the softener tanks.

Pressure booster pump 24 has an inlet pipe 24' connected to pipe 47 to receive the water from the storagetanks or from the inlet hose. The outlet pipe 24" of pump 24 is connected through valve 52 and meter 45 to tanks 22 which have an outlet pipe 55 which is connected at its opposite end to a storage tank 23 mounted within tank 19. A separating wall is provided within tank 19 so as to provide a compartment 23 for receiving the water from the softener tanks. A ii-inch ball valve 65 is connected to pipe 55 so as to control the flow of water into tank 23. Pipe 55 and valve 65 are interconnected by a T-coupling 67. Tank 23 may be bypassed by closing valve 65 allowing the water flowing in pipe 55 to flow directly into pipe 66 allowing cold water to be provided directly to the pair of high pressure hoses. By opening valve 65, water will flow into tank 23 and also to pipe 66.

The water within tank 23 is circulated through heater 25 by pump 26 connected between tank 23 and heater 25 to pipe 71. The water forced into heater 25 by pump 26 is then returned by pipe 72 to tank 23 which empties into hot water pipe 68. A variety of pumps may be utilized to circulate the water from the hot water tank to the heater. Excellent results have been obtained by utilizing a pump produced by Bell & Gossett Company of Morton Grove, 11]., under Model No. 125. Heater 25 purchased from the A. O. Smith Corporation of Kankakee, Ill., under Model No. BC300. A flue (not shown) is mounted to heater extending through the roof of the truck allowing residual gases to be expelled into the atmosphere. A suitable thermostat and igniter is provided for the gas fired heater. Thus, cold water is provided in pipe 66 while hot water is provided in pipe 68. Both pipes 66 and 68 extend toward the rear portion of the truck.

Cold water pipe 66 and hot water pipe 68 are connected together through T-coupling 91 (FIGS. 2 and 4) to pipe 90 which is eventually connected to high pressure pump 80. Solenoid valves 78 aNd 79 are respectively connected to pipes 66 and 68 immediately prior to T-coupling 91. Likewise, pipes 66 and 68 are connected to pipe 82 through solenoid valves 73 and 74. A switch box is provided on each high pressure hose so as to allow the operator of each hose to control the flow and temperature of water by switching these solenoid valves. For example, the operator of the high pressure hose connected to pipe 82 may close or open solenoid valves 73 and 74 whereas the operator of the high pressure hose connected to pipe 90 may open and close solenoid valves 78 and 79. Thus, cold water may be routed through pipe 82 by opening valve 74 and closing valve 73 whereas hot water may be provided through pipe 82 by closing valve 74 and opening valve 73. Valves 78 and 79 may likewise be controlled to provide either hot or cold water through pipe 90.

Pipes 82 and 90 are respectively connected to high pressure -pumps 81 and 80 which force the water at pressures greater than 900 pounds per square inch through the high pressure hoses mounted atop storage tanks 17 and 19 and extendable from the truck. Excellent results have been obtained by using a high pressure pump Model No. C produced by Cat. Pumps Intemational of Minneapolis, Minn. Chemical injectors 88 and 89 are connected to pipes 82 and 90 between the high pressure pumps and the high pressure hose outlets. Chemical injector 88 will now be described it being understood that an identical description applies to injector 89. Injector 88 (FIG. 6) has a venturi section 83 connected to pipe 82. A second pipe 84 opens into the venturi section and is connected to a chemical storage tank 87. A pump 86 is connected to pipe 84 being operable to pump chemicals within tank 87 into the venturi section. Valve 85 is also connected to pipe 84 so as to allow or prevent the flow of chemicals within the pipe. Since the pressures within pipe 82 are approximately 900-1,000 pounds per square inch, and since the pressure within the venturi section is considerably less than the pressure within pipe 82, a smaller sized pump 86 may be utilized to pump the chemicals into pipe 82. A variety of chemicals may be inserted into tank 87 such as various soaps, detergents, weed retarding chemicals and pest control chemicals. Pipe 82 is connected to high pressure pump 81 with the direction of flow being in the direction of arrows 83. Likewise, pipe 90 is routed through pump 80 and chemical injector 89 to a similar high pressure hose mounted atop storage tank 17. A plurality of chemical storage tanks may be utilized with each chemical injector to allow for the use of difierent chemicals through a single high pressure hose.

Each high pressure output hose has a switch box mounted to its outlet to control the flow of fluid. For example, hose 33 has switch box with a temperature switch 96, a chemical switch 99 and an ofilon switch 98. Switch 96 is a two position switch connecting electrical energy to solenoid valves 78 and 79. When switch 96 is turned to the cold position, solenoid valves 78 and 79 respectively open and close thereby routing only cold water to pipe 90. When switch 96 is turned to the hot position, solenoid valves 78 and 79 respectively close and open thereby routing only hot water to pipe 90. Switch 98 is a push button, two position switch which connects a source of electrical energy to high pressure pump 80. Chemical switch 99 is a multiple position rotary switch for connecting a source of electrical energy to the chemical pump of injector 89. A conduit 97 encloses the wiring from switches 96-99 to the valves, pumps and source of electrical'energy. A similar control box controls solenoid valves 73 and 74, high pressure pump 81 and the chemical pump for injector 88.

As previously mentioned, an electrical generator 100 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is mountedwithin the truck being operably driven by the transmission of the truck. Generator 100 is mounted to floor 27 having an input drive shaft 101 with a gear 102 in meshing engagement with a suitable sized gear on transmission shaft 103.

With the truck in a stationary position and with the engine running, the transmission may be put into gear so as to drive generator 100. Such a generator with the required coupling gear is produced by the Generator ONAN Division of the Studebaker Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota under Model No. lOUP-4XN/1A. The electrical energy provided by the generator may be utilized to power the various pumps, switches and solenoid valves as well as various air heaters and lights within the truck. Such a generator is a 10 KVA, 440 volt, three phase device and thus suitable stepdown transformers must be utilized to convert the electrical energy into a suitable level for use with the pump and lights.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is: I

l. A mobile washing apparatus comprising:

a van truck; I

a first storage tank mounted within and extending along one side of said truck;

a second storage tank mounted within and extending 10 along the opposite side of said truck and being spaced from said first tank with a storage area and walkway therebetween;

a water softener tank mounted within said truck and controllably receiving water from said first tank and said second tank; 1

a hot water tank mounted within said van and controllably receiving water from said softener tank;

a first pump operable to transfer water from said first and second tank, through said softener tank and to said hot water tank;

a gas fired heater mounted within said van and operable to heat water;

circulatory pump means mounted within said van and operable to circulate water from said hot water tank to said heater and back;

first and second reel wound high pressure hoses mounted in said truck and extendable therefrom;

high pressure pumps operable to force water through said hoses at pressures in excess of 900 pounds per square inch; and,

an electrical generator being operably driven by the transmission of said truck and providing electrical energy for said apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

water pipes connecting said high pressure pumps to said hoses, said pipes having venturi sections therein; and,

chemical storage tanks having chemical pumping means operable to force chemicals from said 40 chemical tanks into said venturi sections.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising:

a water inlet reel wound hose mounted in said truck and extendable therefrom to an external source'of water; a water meter mounted in said truck and operable to measure the water flow from said inlet hose, said first tank and said second tank to said water sot tener; and wherein: said first tank has a first valve, said first valve has-an open position directing water from said inlet hose, to said first tank and a closedposition preventing water flow from said inlet ,hose to said first tank,

said first tank and said second tankhave bottorn outlets connected together to said meter. 4. The apparatus of claim'3 wherein:

said hot water tank has a valve with a first position directing water from said softenertank to said hot water tank and a second position directing water from said softener tank through a cold water pipe to said high pressure pumps; and,

said hot water tank has a hot water. pipe connected to said high pressure pumps.

5.Th para" 1'4 he each cg) said hi g r ssuze 13? have control switches thereon operable to .control the flow of waterin said cold water pipe and said hot water pipe to said pumps; and further comprising:

chemical valvemeans connected to said chemical.

tanks and operable by said control switches. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: v

said first and second hoses and said inlet hose are Q a float valve mounted to said first tank and operable I to limit the flow of water from said inlet hose to said first and second storage tanks. 8. The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising:

an outlet pipe connected to said outlets of said first.

and second storage tanks and connected to said inlet hose bypassing said meter. 

1. A mobile washing apparatus comprising: a van truck; a first storage tank mounted within and extending along one side of said truck; a second storage tank mounted within and extending along the opposite side of said truck and being spaced from said first tank with a storage area and walkway therebetween; a water softener tank mounted within said truck and controllably receiving water from said first tank and said second tank; a hot water tank mounted within said van and controllably receiving water from said softener tank; a first pump operable to transfer water from said first and second tank, through said softener tank and to said hot water tank; a gas fired heater mounted within said van and operable to heat water; circulatory pump means mounted within said van and operable to circulate water from said hot water tank to said heater and back; first and second reel wound high pressure hoses mounted in said truck and extendable therefrom; high pressure pumps operable to force water through said hoses at pressures in excess of 900 pounds per square inch; and, an electrical generator being operably driven by the transmission of said truck and providing electrical energy for said apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: water pipes connecting said high pressure pumps to said hoses, said pipes having venturi sections therein; and, chemical storage tanks having chemical pumping means operable to force chemicals from said chemical tanks into said venturi sections.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: a water inlet reel wound hose mounted in said truck and extendable therefrom to an external source of water; a water meter mounted in said truck and operable to measure the water flow from said inlet hose, said first tank and said second tank to said water softener; and wherein: said first tank has a first valve, said first valve has an open position directing water from said inlet hose to said first tank and a closed position preventing water flow from said inlet hose to said first tank, said first tank and said second tank have bottom outlets connected together to said meter.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said hot water tank has a second valve with a first position directing water from said softener tank to said hot water tank and a second position directing water from said softener tank through a cold water pipe to said high preSsure pumps; and, said hot water tank has a hot water pipe connected to said high pressure pumps.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: each of said high pressure hoses have control switches thereon operable to control the flow of water in said cold water pipe and said hot water pipe to said pumps; and further comprising: chemical valve means connected to said chemical tanks and operable by said control switches.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said first and second hoses and said inlet hose are mounted atop said storage tanks; said van has a back door with said first and second hoses and said inlet hose extendable therethrough.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising: a float valve mounted to said first tank and operable to limit the flow of water from said inlet hose to said first and second storage tanks.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising: an outlet pipe connected to said outlets of said first and second storage tanks and connected to said inlet hose bypassing said meter. 